KATHMANDU, August 3: The Supreme Court has issued a short-term interim order to not excavate stones and ballast from the river against the law across the country. A single bench of Justice Ananda Mohan Bhattarai has issued an interim order to stop the uncontrolled exploitation of riverine substances in various rivers of the seven provinces.

An interim order had been issued earlier to not implement point 199 of the government's budget statement for exporting stone, ballast and sand. A writ petition was filed earlier in the Supreme Court after an on-site study on excavation or riverine substances in the country. Advocate Padam Bahadur Shrestha had filed a writ petition against illegal exploitation of rivers in all seven provinces.

As the government is embracing sustainable environmental development goals, the apex court has ordered the government to manage the ongoing excavations, explore appropriate alternatives including deepening of the river surface and ensure non-erosion of the banks and prevention of soil erosion. "Only when the right options are identified can the goal of sustainable environmental development be realized. Therefore, be present on August 12 for the interim order if there are policy, study and master plan regarding this matter,” the order read.

Until then, a short-term interim order has been issued to the federal government to prevent anyone from violating the standards for stone, ballast, sand excavation, sale and management. The writ petitioner has demanded the management of quarrying of stone, ballast, sand, collection, crushing, sale distribution and establishment and operation of crusher industry.

 
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